New evidence in the Menendez brothers’ case has been unsealed by the Los Angeles District Attorney and could potentially impact their life sentences for the murder of their parents 35 years later.
In July 1996, the Menez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of murdering their parents, José and Kitty, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The brothers did not fully deny their parents’ murder, but instead claimed they acted in self-defense, considering they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of their father, according to CNN.
The Menendez brothers’ version of the facts was not considered by the judges, noting that “the abuses did not take place,” said the American media.
Most of the defense evidence concerning their father’s sexual abuse would not have been presented, according to the Menendez brothers’ lawyers.
“It’s driving me crazy”
Last Sunday, 35 years after the murders, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón shared a screenshot on Instagram of a handwritten, undated letter written by brother Erik Menendez.
The letter in question was, however, deleted on Tuesday.
This document would allude to the sexual abuse that the brothers allegedly suffered from his father, which would directly corroborate the brothers’ arguments put forward during the trial, according to Defense lawyers.
CNN published an excerpt of the letter Wednesday: “I tried to avoid Dad. It still happens, Andy, but it’s worse for me now,” the letter reads. “I never know when it’s going to happen and it drives me crazy. Every night I lie awake thinking that maybe he’s going to come.”
A lawyer for the Menendez brothers would also have confirmed to the American media the authenticity of the letter published by the prosecutor.
This excerpt was reportedly filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court in May 2023.
Erik Menendez’s letter was allegedly written to his cousin, Andy Cano, in December 1988, several months before their parents’ murder.
Public interest in the Menendez brothers’ case is stronger than ever, following the release of the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” as well as a documentary about their story.
The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez is expected to hold a news conference outside the Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday.
